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Need help with Bleeding heart root.* I recently bought a bleeding heart bulb/root.* I have no idea which end is up..;-)* I usually just buy the plant, but thought this wpuld be better as it is quite large and healthy.* It has a flat end and then six legs (white ) coming off it pointing in the opposite direction.* It looks like a spider.* Do I plant flat or leg side up?* Thank you in advance for any help.* I could not find a picture of the bulb/root online anywhere.

In this picture you can see the roots in the middle and the sprouts on the left. Both seem to be going in the same direction.* Thank you again for all your help.

*I am looking forward to planting this and replacing the* yr old one I lost last year.* An animal ate it down to the roots several times last year in the spring.* This year I am armed with thecayenne pepper which did such a good job protecting my veggie garden last summer.

These are fleshy roots often called rhizomes.* The first picture is better for me to use to explain.* You should plant it just the way you have it sitting in the picture.* The shoots will come out of the ends of the large fleshy roots aka rhizomes.* Those small rootlets will grow downwards.* Here's a sketch.* Look at 'A'.http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20390...ges/fig103.png

Bleeding Hearts prefer a rich, moist soil, but are not particular about soil pH. The biggest foe of Bleeding Heart is summer heat. Gardeners in warmer zones will have a tougher time establishing their plants than those in the colder zones. Leaves are susceptible to leaf spot. The easiest solution is to shear back the affected foliage. Although Bleeding Heart likes a moist soil, it canít tolerate heavy, wet soil and may get root rot if left with wet feet too long.